That's when the realization hit: I'm young, I'm rich (thanks to a hefty inheritance), and I'm boring. Not "needs a little zip" boring, either. More like "mustard stain on a Sears tweed couch" drab. French's in a squeeze bottle, that's me. But suddenly I have Grey Poupon aspirations! Things are gonna change-starting now... Building a better mantrap... First things first: Exercise. Carrot juice. Straight hair. Whiter teeth. Clothes that fit (I have breasts? Who knew?) But wait-there's more. Life's kicked me around a bit, and I've been nursing my wounds for too long. I'm finally ready to take a chance on love with the perfect guy. He's handsome. He's smart. He's reliable. He's my CPA. Problem is, I'm clueless about winning him over. It's time to call in an expert. It's time to call in The Dog. Down, boy. Mike "The Dog" Dougherty is a man's man. A guy's guy. Okay, he's a chauvinist pig, and his sty is "The Dog House," a testosterone-charged column in Maximum for Him magazine. On one hand, I abhor all he stands for. On the other hand, who better to coach me? So here I am. Learning the complex unspoken language of the American male (Talk, bad. Sex, good.); trying exciting new things (Stripping lessons are empowering. Really.); falling for Mike. Uh oh. But the Mike I'm getting to know is different from The Dog. And the Mona I'm becoming isn't quite who I expected, either. This whole makeover scheme is getting crazier by the minute. But "crazy" beats "boring"...right? Jennifer Coburn is an award-winning journalist who has written for magazines and newspapers in the United States, Canada and Australia. She lives in San Diego with her husband, William and their daughter, Katie. Jennifer desperately wishes she had Mona's unlimited cash, beachfront estate and singing voice. When she's not living vicariously through chick-lit characters, Jennifer runs a public relations business which serves non-profit organizations and small businesses in southern California. She is also the coordinator of the Del Cerro Soccer Moms League and coach of the real-life Kickin' Chicks, the best seven-year-old girls to ever tear up suburban soccer fields.

    When fate give Tess Graham a second chance at finding happiness after an abusive relationship, will it come unknowingly at the expense of the handsome cowboy she’s hired to do a few repairs on the farmhouse she’s renting? Gabe Russell knows the perky city girl isn’t going to last long living the country life, but he doesn’t expect that while he’s helping make her dreams a reality, that he’ll finding himself wanting more than getting his house back.

    It’s all the sweeter when the Magic Makers are NY Times & USA Today best-selling authors who have chosen these sweet and sassy stories to help you enjoy your happy-ever-after. BIG GIRLS DON’T CRY, by Mimi Barbour, NYT and USA Today bestselling author: Big girls don't cry because no one is listening. HEAL MY HEART, Mona Risk, NYT and USA Today bestselling author: With the help of a baby girl and four little boys, a handsome doctor may teach her the true meaning of love. TURNAGAIN LOVE, Nancy Radke, USA Today bestselling author: Can she love a man who keeps trying to get her to go away? MEND ME MEND MY HEART, Suzanne Jenkins, Multi-Award-winning author: Dating again has never crossed Charlotte's mind, until she takes a fall at the cemetery where her husband is buried bringing the handsome caretaker to her rescue. SUMMER LOVIN’, Jacquie Biggar, USA Today bestselling author: Can two mismatched lovers find a way past their mistakes? A KISS UPON A STAR, Tamara Ferguson, Multi-Award-winning author: When fate gives Tim and Emily a second chance, can an air force veteran break through the hardened heart of a rising star? THE MONARCH AND THE MOM, Leanne Banks, NYT and USA Today bestselling author: A mix-up in the lab means the father of Sophie's baby is a prince. Can they turn this royal surprise into a forever love? TOMBOY BRIDE, Alicia Street, USA Today bestselling author: Will he ever see her as a grown woman? NEVER TOO YOUNG, Dani Haviland, USA Today bestselling author: Their secret marriage was strong enough to withstand deceptions and ruffians, but would time do them in?

     Sweet Christmas Kisses 5 brings you contemporary romances that celebrate the joy of the season around the world, including snowy Maine and the sun-kissed skies of Florida, the mountains of Colorado to small-town Illinois and Virginia, New York to San Francisco, and even the glittering lights of Paris and the old-world charm of Florence. Sweet Christmas Kisses 5 features nine all-new, standalone novellas that will make you smile and warm your heart with the Christmas spirit.

    To her dismay, Luke Kelly arrives at her ranch a much different and broken man. Can Meg ever forgive his callous treatment of her and help Luke become the man he used to be?

    But after her fiancé cheated on her, she ran away to Los Angeles, determined to start over. Hiding behind red lipstick and her grandmother’s pearls, she started working at her cousin’s bakery and drew up a practical plan for her future. But spilling cake all over herself in front of Hollywood’s hottest leading actor wasn’t part of that plan.Despite Mellie’s embarrassment, Hollywood star Jackson Traver seems strangely charmed by her. At first, Mellie can hardly believe her luck. How could the guy voted “Sexiest Man Alive” fall for a clumsy pastry chef? But once she gives in to temptation, she finds herself dining with A-list stars and shopping on Rodeo Drive…all while Jackson gives her a delicious taste of true desire. Now, Mellie’s not sure she can ever go back to her plan for a nice, sensible life. But can a red-carpet love really last forever?

    just not to a disfunctional pirate crew.Juli has trouble fitting in, though she'd prefer to keep the reasons to herself. But when she mistakenly stows away on a ship of misfit corporate castoffs, her own secrets become the least of her concerns.He knows plotting a diamond heist may be considered unusual behavior...But Alex isn't feeling very normal when his unscrupulous boss kicks him to the curb. Meeting Juli doesn't do much to restore normalcy to Alex's life, but it sure is exhilerating!As Alex and Juli bare their secrets - and a whole lot more - they find that while normal is nice, weird can be wonderful.

    These five contemporary romances explore the not-so-simple joys of small-town living, where the heroes are hotter than temperatures in July and the heroines know just when not to mind their manners. Grab a glass of sweet tea and sit a spell: Sweet Gone South: Chocolatier Lanie Heaven has good friends, a booming business, and the adoration of the citizens of Merritt, Alabama - and a big secret. Then widower Judge Luke Avery moves upstairs and threatens to turn her life into a sticky mess. Scrimmage Gone South: Lawyer Tolly Lee is pearls, debutante balls, and polished silver on the breakfast table. High school football coach Nathan Scott holds her responsible for his aborted NFL career. Can these two ex-lovers find a way to co-exist in the same small town - without becoming fodder for every gossip in town? Slugger Gone South: When New York Yankee Marc MacNeal comes to Merritt, Alabama, for a charity golf tournament, he's shocked to be reunited with his ex-fiancée Bailey Watkins. It could be the perfect chance to get some long-awaited closure - or the start of a whole new ball game. Simple Gone South: The last time Brantley Kincaid had an argument with someone, a loved one ended up in Merritt Cemetery. He's high strung enough about moving back home to the memories without running into his childhood playmate, Lucy Mead, who's all grown up. Secrets Gone South: Will Garrett grew up on the wrong side of the tracks and never expected debutante Arabelle Avery to end up in his arms during an emotional moment. Now she's returned to Merritt, his son on her hip. Will he ever be good enough to raise his son and win Arabelle's heart? Sensuality Level: Sensual

    Still smarting from the spectacular implosion of her last relationship, she knows she’s going to have to work to keep herself from falling hard for fellow guard, CJ Kenton. Not only is he cute, but she discovers he’s nothing like any other guy she’s ever known. Keeping her heart safe proves to be more difficult than she imagined when he continually shows her his tender, gentle side. Will he convince her it’s time to take another chance with love?

    Ten years ago Clancy Morgan broke her heart and even though she’s made a successful life for herself, she’s never gotten over that pain. He made a big mistake… But maybe he can mend it, if only she’ll let him. Her friends cook up a crazy scheme to help her get over him once and for all, but his hopes are that he can use their plan to convince her that he still loves her. Then the hurricane hits… and all bets are off for everyone. If you liked any of the Honky Tonk series by Carolyn Brown such as: I Love This Bar, Hell Yeah, My Give a Damn’s Busted or Honky Tonk Christmas, you’ll enjoy this story of love and forgiveness.

    Will they become entangled in a web of money, family, and dark secrets from the past? Or will a simple, strong faith change the course of their lives, bringing them the love neither thought they would find? The Moose Hollow series is a keen look at broken people in a broken world, filled with wit, romance, and redemption. For more Christian romance, please check out Cynthia Bruner’s Montana Weekend Novellas.

    Off the field? He’s pure trouble. When his fondness for fast women and bar brawls lands him a suspension from the game, he’s prepared to take his punishment like a man. But since when does a suspension come with a live-in nanny?TV baking maven Belinda West is the epitome of home-made hospitality, on-screen and off. The personal is the professional when you’re selling the good life, after all. But when her wedding day implodes in front of a live studio audience, Bel’s career goes into a death spiral. She’ll do anything to save it, even take charge of soccer’s most famous bad boy. To hell with the morals clause in his contract; James isn’t about to shape up for some knock-off Mary Poppins. But since when does Mary Poppins laugh like a naughty angel and smell like sugar cookies? He’s not looking for love but that kiss of hers is practically perfect in every way. And James has a powerful taste for trouble.

    All of that changes after Sergeant Beck McCaffery saunters into her life with aqua eyes that see everything she tries to hide. The intimidating man pushes Harper until she has no choice but to begin penning a life unwritten.

    Searching for something more than a bar babe, he zeroed in on a girl in the stands. He never expected to see a beautiful chick pushing frankfurters. But the hot dog girl looked as smokin’ as the food she was selling. Holly Merrill found a place to hide in plain sight, as a vendor at Nighthawks’ stadium. Keeping her secret safe and simply happy to stay alive, she never considered finding love an option. After all, a bad girl doesn’t deserve a decent guy, does she? Coming off his best season ever, Dan went into the playoffs, hell bent on winning the pennant and playing in the World Series. But could he maintain his focus on the field, where everything was going right, when off the field everything was falling apart? CAUTION: locker room language.

    She just dumped her fettuccini-ordering boyfriend. 2. Her legs are covered in wax and it hurts too much to rip it off herself. 3. And maybe, just maybe, she's a bit in love with her best friend who would never order fettuccini and rides to the rescue whenever she needs someone to tear the wax off her legs. Ever since Jack saved Carrie's life in school by giving her mouth-to-mouth, he's ridden to her rescue time after time. When she confesses that his resuscitation was her first kiss, he decides to show her what a real kiss looks like...and maybe what true love looks like as well! Reminiscent of Jennifer Cruise’s romantic romps, I WAXED MY LEGS FOR THIS? is sure to leave you in stitches!